Gauff storms to second career win over Swiatek

At 20, Coco Gauff has achieved a considerable amount. She has established herself as a perennial top-five player, won a grand slam title, and lived up to the hype that followed her since her preteens.

- Tumaini Carayol

Still, it remains to be seen if she can solve one of the most lopsided match-ups between two top players the sport has seen - her 1-11 record against Iga Swiatek.

In her second match at the WTA Finals, Gauff took a significant step forward as she held her nerve to register her second win over Swiatek, the No 2 seed and defending champion. After bursting into the contest playing bold tennis, Gauff maintained her composure in the middle of a serving slump before closing out a 6-3, 6-4 win over her erratic opponent.

With another victory, Gauff advanced to 2-0 at the season-ending championship in Riyadh, putting herself in a strong position to reach the semi-finals. Swiatek's loss means Aryna Sabalenka will finish the year as the WTA No 1 for the first time, breaking the Pole's run of two years at the summit.